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镉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
镉gécadmiumn, 15 strokes, radical 钅, rank #39238, Very Hard
镉gécadmium (chemistry)unknown, 15 strokes, radical 钅, rank #39238, Very Hard
gé(ge2) T2
  1. 1cadmium
  2. 2cadmium (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

镉(鎘)gé(ge2)

镉 (gé) refers to cadmium, a chemical element often found in batteries and pigments. It is primarily used in industrial contexts, especially in metallurgy and chemistry, and is known for its toxicity. Understanding this term is important for discussions related to environmental science and health safety.

Strokes15Radical钅Frequency#39238DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, the awareness of heavy metal pollution, including cadmium, has grown due to industrial development, making this term relevant in discussions about health and safety regulations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'geese' (sounds like 'gé') swimming in a lake filled with toxic substances, representing cadmium's association with environmental hazards. The character 镉 has the metal radical (钅), linking it visually to metals like cadmium.

Meanings of 镉

gé(ge2)
1cadmium
2cadmium (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 镉

镉Simplified
鎘Traditional
15Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 镉

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Podcast: 镉

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 镉

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 镉 with similar-sounding characters; ensure correct pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings. This term is used in formal contexts, especially in scientific discussions, and is often paired with terms like '元素' (element) or '污染' (pollution).

HSK Study Tips

Though 镉 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, learners at higher levels should connect it with other chemical terms like '铅' (lead) and '汞' (mercury). Focus on understanding its usage in environmental contexts to enhance vocabulary depth.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 镉 with other similar characters, leading to miscommunication. For example, confusing it with '锶' (sī, strontium) can result in incorrect discussions about materials. Always double-check the character's context in scientific texts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 镉

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Etymology of 镉

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

metal

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)鬲
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 镉

  1. 1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half鬲 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymetal
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 镉? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 镉?

Decomposition of 镉

IDS Structure⿰钅鬲
镉Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
鬲Ge2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 镉?

How to say cadmium in Chinese

“cadmium” in Chinese is镉gé

镉 (gé) refers to cadmium, a chemical element often found in batteries and pigments. It is primarily used in industrial contexts, especially in metallurgy and chemistry, and is known for its toxicity. Understanding this term is important for discussions related to environmental science and health safety.

When to use 镉

Common mistakes include confusing 镉 with similar-sounding characters; ensure correct pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings. This term is used in formal contexts, especially in scientific discussions, and is often paired with terms like '元素' (element) or '污染' (pollution).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 镉 with other similar characters, leading to miscommunication. For example, confusing it with '锶' (sī, strontium) can result in incorrect discussions about materials. Always double-check the character's context in scientific texts.

Write 镉

镉

Practice writing 镉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 镉

镉 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

支架周围有一层0.5毫米厚的____箔.

The block is surrounded by cadmium foil 5 mm thick.

Example Sentences for 镉 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
支架周围有一层0.5毫米厚的镉箔.

zhī jià zhōu wéi yǒu yī céng0.5 0.5 háo mǐ hòu de gé.

The block is surrounded by cadmium foil 5 mm thick.

Word Family of 镉

Words Containing This Character1
镉gécadmium (chemistry)鎘
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 镉 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 镉

Cadmium is a heavy metal that poses health risks, making it a critical topic in environmental protection and safety regulations.

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